Flow-wrapper package with reclosure

ABSTRACT

A flowwrapper package with a reclosure is provided. The reclosure typically includes a double profile zipper, with upper and lower flanges. Additionally, a pre-activated peel seal is provided between the lower flanges to provide hermeticity. The double zipper allows the user to reclose the package. The absence of hermetic end seals allows for increased production rates.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/044,560 filed on Apr. 14, 2008 and entitled “Flowwrapper Package With Reclosure That Allows For Improved Closure, Tamper Evidence and Hermeticity”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a zipper reclosure that provides an improved package when used in a flow-wrap style of package.

2. Description of the Prior Art

While the prior art in the consumer packaging field, particularly with respect to reclosable packaging, is well-developed and well adapted for its intended use, further improvements are sought in the field. In particular, some prior art packages produced on flowwrapper equipment can have a tendency to be difficult for the consumer to use. A good example of such a package is a typical chunk cheese package wherein the bulky dimensions of the chunk cheese make alignment of the reclosure difficult for the user. Additionally, a second issue in the production of such a package is the ability to produce a hermetic seal consistently while maintaining a high production rate. The addition of a zipper reclosure to this style of package typically requires the converter to slow the line down in order to achieve adequate sealing around the zipper profile.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reclosable package which can be produced at a high production rate while maintaining a consistent hermetic seal.

It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide a reclosable package which is more easily handled by the consumer.

These and other objects are attained by providing a reclosable package with a four flange zipper. The four flange zipper further includes a double profile which increases the ease of reclosure for the user. Additionally, a pre-activated peel seal is located on the zipper flanges below the profile. The addition of the pre-activated peel seal to the zipper, in place of fully crushed zipper end seals, typically allows for higher line speeds for the converter. That is, the zipper reclosure does not have to have hermetic end seals as long as the pre-activated peel seal is situated below the profiles, and the end seals of the package are correctly configured up to the pre-activated peel seal.

An alternative embodiment includes a tear line in order to increase the end user's perception of a secure package.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the package of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the package of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one sees from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the package 10 of the present invention includes front face 12 and rear face 14. Front face 12 and rear face 14 can be formed from a single sheet of polymeric web or film, or can be formed from separate sheets which are sealed together at the bottom or sides of the package 10, particularly dependent upon the size and shape of the contents 100 of the package 10. If front face 12 and rear face 14 are provided as separate sheets, then front and rear faces 12, 14 are typically joined by side seals 16, 18 and bottom seal 20. If front face 12 and rear face 14 are provided as a single sheet, then one of seals 16, 18, 20 may be replaced by a fold formed between the front and rear faces 12, 14.

Mouth 30 is formed at the top of package 10 between the top edges 27, 29 of front face 12 and rear face 14, respectively. Zipper 32 is formed in the interior of mouth 30 and joined to the interior of front face 12 and rear face 14. Zipper 32 includes first profile assembly 36, attached to front face 12, and second profile assembly 38, attached to rear face 14. First profile assembly 36 includes first upper flange 40, first upper interlocking profile 44, first lower interlocking profile 48 and first lower flange 52. Likewise, second profile assembly 38 includes second upper flange 42, second upper interlocking,profile 46, second lower interlocking profile 50 and second lower flange 54. Upper interlocking profiles 44, 46 releasably interlock with each other and lower interlocking profiles 48, 50 releasably interlock with each other. Additionally, if the consumer misaligns the zipper 32 when reclosing the package 10, it is possible that one of the upper interlocking profiles will releasably interlock with one of the lower interlocking profiles, thereby maintaining a closure notwithstanding the misalignment. This typically requires the upper and lower interlocking profile to have the same gender for any given profile assembly. For example, as illustrated, first profile assembly 36 includes two female profiles while second profile assembly 38 include two male profiles. The ends of first and second profile assemblies 36, 38 do not include fully crushed end seals. While fully crushed end seals are typically used in the prior art to provide hermeticity, pre-activated peel seal 56 is formed between first lower flange 52 and second lower flange 54, with side seals 16, 18 overlapping the ends of pre-activated peel seal 56, thereby providing tamper evidence and hermeticity. The upper interlocking profiles 44, 46, the lower interlocking profiles 48, 50 and the pre-activated peel seal 56 are all parallel with each other.

On FIG. 1, phantom lines 60, 62 illustrate the upper and lower extents, respectively, of the first and second profile assemblies 36, 38.

Contents 100 are illustrated as a block, such as cheese. However, other contents in the form of slices, chips and similar foodstuffs or other items are equally envisioned.

Top edges 27, 29 are typically either weakly sealed together or hard sealed together but provided with lines of weakness, so that the top edges 27, 29 may be easily separated by the consumer after the initial consumer purchase, with tamper evidence. The consumer then separates the upper interlocking profiles 44, 46, the lower interlocking profiles 48, 50 and the pre-activated peel seal 56. The user can then remove a portion of the contents and reclose the package 10. The double profile configuration makes it easier for the consumer to close the package 10 and maintain a hermetic seal.

By combining a double zipper 32 with a peel seal 56 (which, as described above, provides hermeticity rather than hermeticity being provided by fully crushed zipper end seals) below the zipper 32, zipper end seals which are not fully crushed at the zipper ends, and side seals that overlap the peel seal 56, a faster production of loaded bags can be achieved, while maintaining hermeticity. In other words, the absence of fully crushed zipper end seals provides increased production rates.

Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims. 

1. A zipper for reclosable package including: a first profile assembly; a second profile assembly, wherein end seals of the first and second profile assemblies are free of hermetic closure; and a peel seal between the first profile assembly and the second profile assembly thereby providing hermetic closure.
 2. The zipper of claim 1 wherein the first profile assembly includes a first upper interlocking profile and a first lower interlocking profile and wherein the second profile assembly includes a second upper interlocking profile and a second lower interlocking profile.
 3. The zipper of claim 2 further including a first lower flange below the first lower interlocking profile and a second lower flange below the second lower interlocking profile.
 4. The zipper of claim 3 wherein the first lower flange is joined to the second lower flange by the peel seal.
 5. The zipper of claim 4 wherein the peel seal extends to ends of the first and second profile assemblies whereby side seals subsequently formed in package production overlap the peel seal.
 6. The zipper of claim 3 further including a first upper flange above the first upper interlocking profile and a second upper flange above the second upper interlocking profile.
 7. The zipper of claim 6 wherein the first upper interlocking profile and the first lower interlocking profile have a first shape and the second upper interlocking profile and the second lower interlocking profile have a second shape, wherein the first shape and the second shape can interlock with each other.
 8. The zipper of claim 6 wherein the first upper interlocking profile and the first lower interlocking profile have a first gender and the second upper interlocking profile and the second lower interlocking profile have a second gender, wherein the first gender and the second gender can interlock with each other.
 9. The zipper of claim 6 wherein the first upper interlocking profile, the first lower interlocking profile, the second upper interlocking profile, the second lower interlocking profile and the peel seal are parallel with each other.
 10. The zipper of claim 6 wherein the first and second upper flanges are configured and arranged to be oriented toward an opening of a package and wherein the peel seal is configured and arranged to be oriented toward contents of a package.
 11. A reclosable package including: a front face and a rear face, forming a mouth between an edge thereof; a zipper positioned with the mouth for opening and closing the package, the zipper including: a first profile assembly with a first upper interlocking profile and a first lower interlocking profile; a second profile assembly with a second upper interlocking profile and a second lower interlocking profile, wherein end seals of the first and second profile assemblies are free of hermetic closure; and a peel seal between the first profile assembly and the second profile assembly thereby providing hermetic closure.
 12. The package of claim 11 wherein the first profile assembly includes a first upper interlocking profile and a first lower interlocking profile and wherein the second profile assembly includes a second upper interlocking profile and a second lower interlocking profile.
 13. The package of claim 12 further including a first lower flange below the first lower interlocking profile and a second lower flange below the second lower interlocking profile.
 14. The package of claim 13 wherein the first lower flange is joined to the second lower flange by the peel seal.
 15. The package of claim 14 further including side seals formed between edges of the front and rear faces and wherein the side seals overlap ends of the peel seal.
 16. The package of claim 13 further including a first upper flange above the first upper interlocking profile and a second upper flange above the second upper interlocking profile.
 17. The package of claim 16 wherein the first upper interlocking profile and the first lower interlocking profile have a first shape and the second upper interlocking profile and the second lower interlocking profile have a second shape, wherein the first shape and the second shape can interlock with each other.
 18. The package of claim 16 wherein the first upper interlocking profile and the first lower interlocking profile have a first gender and the second upper interlocking profile and the second lower interlocking profile have a second gender, wherein the first gender and the second gender can interlock with each other.
 19. The package of claim 16 wherein the first upper interlocking profile, the first lower interlocking profile, the second upper interlocking profile, the second lower interlocking profile and the peel seal are parallel with each other.
 20. The package of claim 16 wherein the first and second upper flanges are oriented toward an opening of a package and wherein the peel seal is oriented toward contents of the package. 